The Apple Watch comes with several helpful safety features, including one that can detect when you fall. This feature is helpful for those with illnesses that can result in frequent falls or fainting as well as seniors who are at risk of serious falls and medical complications.
Keep reading to find out how to set up fall detection.
How Does Apple Watch Fall Detection Work?
Fall detection is available on Apple Watch Series 4 and later. Fall detection sends you an alert when the Apple Watch detects that you have fallen while wearing it. You will receive an onscreen alert along with sound and haptic feedback.
It gives you the option to contact emergency services or dismiss the alert.
If the Apple Watch detects that you are moving, it will wait for you to respond to the alert and will only call emergency services if you tell it to. If your watch detects that you are not moving and have been immobile for one minute or more, it will automatically dial emergency services.
If you have emergency contacts set in your Medical ID, the watch will then send them a message letting them know that a hard fall was detected and that emergency services were contacted.
If you need to set up or update your medical ID and emergency contacts, check out our guide to setting up your medical ID in case of an emergency.
How to Turn On Fall Detection
You need to use your iPhone to enable Fall Detection on a connected Apple Watch. Here's how:
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone, then go to the My Watch tab. Ensure that your watch is paired with your iPhone to make it show up.
- Select Emergency SOS.
- Enable the Fall Detection option.
If you are over 55, Fall Detection is on by default. It's not recommended for those under 18. It won't be available if you have entered your age in the Watch or Health apps and are under 18 years of age.
Explore More Apple Watch Features
Fall detection is just one of many useful and potentially life-saving features included with an Apple Watch. Once you've it set up, be sure to explore the rest of the health, productivity, and media features available to get the most out of your Apple Watch.
